Benefits and Money

This section looks at the various benefits intended to help pay for housing costs.

Benefit rates

This section provides links and information to help your client work out what benefit entitlement they may have. 

Housing benefit

This section gives an introduction to housing benefit. 

Local housing allowance

This section provides information about the local housing allowance scheme. Local housing allowance is an alternative way of calculating housing benefit for tenants in the deregulated private rented sector. 

Universal credit

This section provides information about universal credit. 

Support for mortgage interest

This section looks at help that may be available for paying the interest on mortgages and other housing costs. 

Benefit cap

The cap on the total amount of benefits that working-age claimants can receive. 

Discretionary housing payments

Claimants who require more help with housing costs may be entitled to receive a discretionary housing payment. 

Council Tax

These pages explain council tax liability, exemption and the various sources of help to pay. 

Other benefits

Same-sex couples and benefits

From 5 December 2005, same sex partners who live together are treated as a couple for the purpose of claiming benefits. 

Habitual Residence Test and Benefits

Information on the Habitual Residence Test (HTR) which applicants must fulfill to be eligible for certain benefits.